A Bowl Full of Lemons

 

Welcome to week 4 of the Home Organization 101 Challenge. The challenge is going great and from the looks of the photos you’ve been sharing, its already a huge success. Last week we cleaned and organized the dining room. Now it’s time to create an organized launch pad for your family.

 

WEEK 4: THE LAUNCH PAD

The launch pad is the place where you drop your things when you walk in the door, where you hang the family calendar & chore charts, store backpacks, leave your car keys, etc.  It doesn’t need to be a big space. If you don’t have a designated launch pad, now’s a great time to create one for your family. You can set up a launch pad in your foyer, kitchen, garage, hallway or mudroom.

If you are new to the challenge, look over the details then begin working at your own pace.  For encouragement, join our Home Organization 101 Facebook community and share your progress or struggles. Or simply look through the photos and read how others are doing. If you’re on Instagram, share your progress using the hashtag #2016abfolchallenge.  Don’t forget to print out the complete 14 week schedule and checklists below.

5.5 x 8.5

8.5 x 11

 

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HOME ORGANIZATION

For the perfect companion guide to our challenge, purchase The Complete Book to Home Organization. It includes all 14 weekly challenges as well as tons of pictures and tips that will help you organize your spaces each week. No need to log onto the computer for inspiration, this manual has it all!

 

 
MY LAUNCH PAD

I have a launch pad at my front door and at my garage door.  By creating a space for our things, our home has remained organized.  My kids have a place to put their things so they don’t just drop everything on the floor.  The keys are hung, backpacks have a spot, umbrellas have a basket, shoes have a tray, etc. Everything has a place.

 

 

 

 

THE ORGANIZING PROCESS

• Keep
• Donate/sell
• Trash/Recycle
• Other Room
• Shoes
• Accessories

Sort through everything in the space.  Empty it completely as you go. Divide everything into the 6 bins listed above (or more if needed).  Purge the items you no longer want, use, love or need.  Get rid of as much clutter as you can.

ORGANIZE.

It’s time to go through everything in the bins. Put the “other room” items where they belong. Toss the trash in the trash can outside. Place donations in your car and “to sell” items in the garage.  When organizing things in the bins, remove one item at a time, categorizing as you go.  Here are some items you could store in your launch pad area.

• Shoes
• Backpacks/Purses
• Keys
• Reusable Grocery Bags
• Umbrellas
• Calendars
• Jackets/Coats
• Cold Weather Accessories
• Dog walking items
• Mail
• Chore Charts
• Electronic charging cords

 

ORGANIZING INSPIRATION

Here are several blog posts that will inspire you to get your Launch Pads organized.

• Mudroom Organization
• Garage Mudroom Organization
• Foyer Organization

 

 

2016 HOME ORGANIZATION 101 SCHEDULE

• Week 1 (1/9/16) – Kitchen
• Week 2 (1/16/16) – Pantry
• Week 3 (1/23/16) – Dining Room
• Week 4 (1/30/16) – Launch Pad
• Week 5 (2/6/16) – Living Room
• Week 6 (2/13/16) – Master Bedroom
• Week 7 (2/20/16) – Master Closet
• Week 8 (2/27/16) – Kids Closets
• Week 9 (3/5/16) – Linen Closet
• Week 10 (3/12/16) Bathrooms
• Week 11 (3/19/16) – Office
• Week 12 (3/26/16) – Playroom/Toys
• Week 13 (4/2/16) – Laundry Room
• Week 14 (4/9/16) – Garage
• Week 15 (4/16/16) – Car (Bonus Week)

 

Spend this week creating a launch pad in your home.  Share your progress on Instagram using the hash tag #2016abfolchallenge, blog about the weekly challenges, and  share your before and after pictures over at my Home Organization 101 group here.  Keep up the great work. You can finish all 14 challenges! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.  Good luck. I’ll see you back next week for week 5 of the challenge. Happy Organizing!

~Toni
 

Tags: foyer, home organization 101, launch pad
2016 Home Organization Challenge, Blog, Garage, January 2016, Mudroom, Organize Posted in One comment